Modern history of East Asian martial arts

In October 1928, the Central Guoshu Institute held a national examination, the so-called Leitai raised platform full contact competition, which came to be regarded as one of the most significant historic gatherings of Chinese martial arts masters.

These newer systems are commonly valued as sports or arts for self- development, self-improvement, rather than methods for killing or maiming a battlefield opponent.

The Western interest in East Asian Martial arts dates back to the late 19th century, due to the increase in trade between the West and China and Japan.

Edward William Barton-Wright, a British railway engineer who had studied Jujutsu while working in Japan between 1894 and 1897, was the first man known to have taught Asian martial arts in Europe.

In 1899 he also founded an eclectic martial arts style named Bartitsu which combined jujutsu, judo, boxing, savate and stick fighting.

Within ten years, jujutsu classes were being taught in many Western countries including England, France, Germany, Italy, the USA, Australia and New Zealand.

Subsequently, an awareness of jujutsu, in particular, entered Western popular culture and the art was featured in innumerable newspaper and magazine articles, novels and instructional manuals throughout the early-mid 20th century.

As Western influence grew in East Asia a greater number of military personnel spent time in China, Japan, and Korea.

American interest in martial arts began to broaden in the late 1960s after Bruce Lee played the role of Kato in The Green Hornet.

Jackie Chan and Jet Li are prominent movie figures who have been responsible for promoting Chinese martial arts in recent years.